GOD teaches the humble His way. And he waits for Him all the day (Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14). Be vigilant at all times; stand erect and raise your heads because your salvation is at hand (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36).
Lord, teach me your paths
The psalmist entreats God for guidance, begging to be taught His ways and His paths. He is keen to do God’s will, hence he earnestly wants to learn God’s “ways”, “paths”, “truth”; he asks to be given knowledge, to be taught, to be guided. He desires to have a lifestyle in conformity with the divine will or with the ways taught by God. He seeks to go on the road of righteousness in God’s sight; he begs for wisdom and insight in God’s ways. For it is from God that salvation comes; down God’s paths salvation is accomplished. It is worth to wait for the Lord, savior and deliverer, all the day long.
The psalmist appeals to God’s covenantal commitment of old: His tender compassion (rahum, deep and loving attachment as between a mother and the child in her womb) and His loyal kindness (hesed). He prays that God considers him in mercy and kindness, not mindful of his sins. It is because God is good and upright that He shows sinners the path to salvation. Similarly, it is because God is compassionate and merciful that He guides the poor and humble ones (anawim) to justice and teaches God’s ways and to walk along His paths.
Salvation is at hand
Evangelist Luke wants to guide his readers regarding the final advent of Jesus Christ. He was writing to second- and third-generation Christians of a growing Church of many languages and cultures spread throughout the then known world. The earlier expectation of the believers for an imminent Parousia of the glorious Jesus has been replaced by the realization that the Church is here to stay to continue the work of Jesus. And others may be in fear and anxiety about the end, not so with Christians who wait in joy-filled expectation for the return of the Lord. The faithful ones stand erect with heads raised when the Son of Man comes in glory, because redemption is at hand.
The references to cosmic disturbances and the consequent distress on earth are not historical predictions but apocalyptic metaphors signifying the end of one age and the birth of a new one. It is really about new creation, rather than sheer destruction. It calls to mind the primordial chaos out of which order was brought forth by the divine power. It is a theophany, the coming of the Son of Man and the time of salvation from God. It will be the “Day of the Lord”, the day of His power and glory, of His judgment and mercy. It is the day as well of the victory of those who have remained faithful to Him and who can therefore stand before Him to receive the fullness of God’s goodness and love.
Be vigilant at all times
IT will be the advent of the age of fulfillment, therefore one must be prepared for it. “Be vigilant at all times and pray” that one be alert, heedful and not surprised. When everything is collapsing, it is vital for survival to be standing on a higher, solid ground. It will mean everything then that one has been properly guided as to what is passing and perishable, and what is essential and everlasting. The ways and values taught by Jesus during His ministry and passed on in His Gospel will be revealed as the basis for anyone’s victory or failure.
Do not be caught by surprise! Be alert! Beware! Take heed! Extraordinary signs notwithstanding, the exact time of the revelation is unknown. One must not take chances when it concerns the coming of the Lord and one’s own eternal salvation. Believers can only stand erect and raise their heads in welcoming the Lord to the extent that they have avoided all ways and style of living contrary to the Gospel, in senseless, drunken indulgences, or in mindless preoccupation with the anxieties of daily life.
Alálaong bagá, as we begin the season of Advent and expectation, we are reminded that a true “Advent Way of Life” means having learned of God’s ways, being taught of God’s paths, being guided by God’s truth, and waiting for the Lord all the day long, as the psalmist wishes for himself as he lifts his soul to the Lord. The Advent way, which enables one to escape the tribulations when they come anytime anyhow and to stand before the Son of Man in hope and confidence, calls for Gospel-based lifestyle of making Jesus present in our lives here and now, not only anticipating but already incarnating his coming.
Join me in meditating on the Word of God every Sunday, 5 to 6 a.m. on DWIZ 882, or by audio-streaming on www.dwiz882.com.